Shelley White, co-owner of Amalgamated Clothing and costume consultant, shares vintage holiday picks and life after ‘Boardwalk Empire.’
One thing that is true about NoVA residents is that they wear many hats. Which is why it should come as no surprise that Shelley White, co-owner [with Gene Elm] of the vintage boutique Amalgamated Clothing in Del Ray, doubles as a wardrobe consultant for some of our favorite TV shows, designers and Broadway productions.
Since opening the store two years ago, locals began flocking to stock up on demure 1960s shift dresses and tailored suiting. “One Old Town businessman in particular wears only ‘40s suits to work every day,” says White, who is adamant about viewing her clothes as everyday pieces instead of costumes. And with a warehouse in Shirlington housing over a thousand suits dating as far back as the 1880s, it was inevitable that they drew the attention of the top Broadway and motion picture costume designers.
Elm and White initially spread the word about their vast vintage collection by hosting trade shows in New York City. Designers for Anna Sui, Anthropologie and Ralph Lauren (“most recently they bought men’s leather jackets and hunting coats from the ‘40s”) would buy vintage goods as inspiration for prints and cuts for future collections.
HBO eventually approached the duo about pieces for the remake of “Mildred Pierce” with Kate Winslet and subsequently they became regular consultants for “Boardwalk Empire,” which concluded its run in October. Although sad at the end of the hit series, White looks forward to the work Amalgamated is doing on Broadway, most recently with “Of Mice and Men.” “As long as they keep doing period productions we will be in business,” she laughs. –Angela Bobo
(December 2014)